Local Restaurants Downtown Boise and East Boise

The capital of the great state of Idaho is Boise, it is the most geographically remote city in mainland United States. However, that is not to mean that it is cut off from the rest of the world. It is known as the best place to live and has a fantastic dining scene.

Janjou Patisserie

If you are searching for the ideal pastry, you should visit Janjou Patisserie. The shop first started by selling cookies to local businesses. In 2013, the owners finally opened up a bakery and cafe. You can find only the items made with the best quality, organic and local ingredients. Cloverleaf Creamery provides the bakery with the mild and cream for the coffee bar and butter. The coffee beans are roasted weekly by a company in Ketchum, Idaho. Janjou Patisserie is known for its lattes and pastries the favorite of the community is the quiche and strawberry pistachio eclair. Everything is made with precision.

State and Lemp

What began as a high end, seasonally-controlled popup has become one of Boise’s top tasting menu restaurants and has received national attention with chef de cuisine Kris Komori as a semifinalist for James Beard Best Chef of the Northwest. State and Lemp offer five-course meals and they range from modern, eclectic dishes like razor clams with cherry tomatoes, clams, fresh wasabi, and celery. The restaurant builds relationships with artists, local farmers, and ranchers to build an environment that features the variety of the community.

St. Lawrence Gridiron

It is not unusual for those passing by this downtown American restaurant to smell smoke coming from around the corner. The urban industrial environment of St. Lawrence Gridiron provides a major selection of meaty dishes, like pulled pork and some great brisket. The menu is combined with craft beer and whiskey heavy cocktail list. If you are looking for variety this is the place to try as they change their menu frequently; however, they keep the original concept. They also offer catering for office lunches, parties, weddings or other special occasions.

The Modern

The Modern is well known for a great cocktail bar and small shop hotel. The ideal place to get a classic drink with bar bites and big plates that are meant to keep close to the old meets new theme containing brisket over grilled peach and apricot salad, liverwurst with pickles or fava bean tapenade. Some of the favorites are meals such as house beef pastrami, truffled eggs and roasted pork over rice noodles to absorb the booze. The service is exceptional and is recommended by all who ask.

Juniper

This stylish downtown bar and restaurant features on all things Idaho such as locally sourced ingredients to regional beer and wine. The items on the menu come from the influences of the entire world but with skirt steak pita, braised pork tacos, and spice duck ramen. Imagined locally, inspired seasonally and crafted classically food at Juniper Kitchen and Cocktails is a hip downtown Boise space.

Wild Root Cafe and Market

At Wild Root Cafe right in the center of downtown Boise is a mom and pop cafe and market that provides inspiring breakfast and lunch items. If you want to start your day off right, try the bruleed ruby grapefruit with a side of steak and eggs which is made with Snake River Farms Wagyu beef and cage-free eggs. If you are up for lunch then you would want to stop by and grab some soups, salad, and sandwiches like the banh mi made with a candied bacon or ginger glazed vegan meatballs depending on your liking.

Richard’s

Richard Langston brought an Italian inspired cuisine to downtown Boise. Langston is the chef of the restaurant and with the help of his team share their culinary philosophy that commemorates the integrity of seasonal ingredients and from local sources when available. The dining at this establishment is further enjoyed by impeccably mixed drinks, a popular list of old favorites and new finds. The service at Richard’s is sophisticated and stylish.

Leku Ona

Leku Ona owners Jose Mari Artiach was raised in the Basque country and come over to the U.S. as a Sheep Herder. With him, he brought the love of his homeland, culture, and food with him and opened Leku Ona in 2005. Boutique hotel adjoins the restaurant and is in the center of Boise’s Basque Block. Leku Ona means a good place. The decor continues the Basque culture and its traditions. The unusual and family style menu items are made with care and expertise which makes the items as delicious as they are beautiful. You have the opportunity for fine dining upstairs or outdoors on the cigar-friendly patio with a view of the downtown scene or downstairs in the quiet and relaxing pub-style atmosphere. For those with a large party, there is the opportunity to reserve the banquet room for a small fee. Adjoined is the historic Leku Ona Hotel for the full experience.

Chandlers

Chandlers was opened in 2007 and is an award-winning fashionable dining restaurant and is located in Hotel 43 in Bodo (Boise Downtown). The restaurant features fine seafood that is shipped in from Hawaii and Alaska along with steaks you have to taste to believe. The menu offers fresh ingredients from the local area. Patrons are able to savor a host of fine fare built by Executive Chef Luis Flores like steamed mussels in white wine, ginger sauce, and green curry. There are over 650 choices in award-winning wine. Chandlers offers nightly jazz music and an experience you may not want to miss out on.

Bardenay

Bardenay is on a historical Basque Block with walls of exposed brick and exposed wood rafters. Bardenay is known as the first distillery restaurant in the USA that specializes in the flavors of the Northwest and handcrafted libations. The menu is large and offers a savory taste like charbroiled salmon fillet that is served with sun-dried tomato butter and comes with Caesar salad along with New York steak topped blue cheese butter, veal demi-glace fresh vegetables, and garlic mashed potatoes.